Humsterland (Groningen, Netherlands)

Humsterland is a district in western Groningen, Netherlands, where Anabaptists have lived from the beginning. In 1574 an agreement was formulated here between the Frisians and the Flemish, known as the Peace of Humsterland (Humstervrede). In 1578 another meeting was held here after fruitless discussions at Emden. There were in Humsterland two groups, the Old Flemish and the Flemish, which extended over several villages. The Old Flemish congregation was always small. In about 1775 it united with the Flemish, which must always have been much larger, and was the center of the Humsterlandsche Sociëteit. In 1838 the combined congregation acquired a new church in Noordhorn, and in 1839 changed the name to Noordhorn.